End face polishing machine and end face polishing system

ABSTRACT

A polishing system capable of producing and controlling a plurality of types of rod-shaped members is provided. The polishing system has a control machine capable of inputting and indicating pressure processing conditions having actual pressure measurements. The control machine includes a numbers indication part for indicating the number of the rod-shaped members, a type indication part for indicating connector types, a type indication part for indicating ferrule types, a process indication part for indicating a plurality of steps, and programmed pressure for inputting and indicating programmed pressure.

BACK GROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an end face polishing system ofa rod-shaped member.

[0002] For end face polishing machines traditionally used for polishingthe end face of ferrules, a machine has been known in which a polishingjig fixed with ferrules is disposed on a rotary and revolutionarypolishing plate for polishing. In addition, ferrule polishing has beenconducted according to a plurality of steps having different processconditions from a rough surface state to a final finish state.

[0003] However, the traditional polishing machine has conducted inputcontrol for polishing and polishing conditions by a single machine.Thus, it has been difficult to change the polishing conditions variedfrom each of a plurality of ferrules and the conditions for each ofpolishing steps, to adjust conditions according to changes in the numberof ferrules and to input data, because of the size of the overallmachine and the configuration of indication and input.

[0004] Therefore, skilled workers have to manipulate operations of thepolishing machine, causing the factor that hinders producing a widevariety of products.

[0005] Traditionally, the correction operation for the polishingconditions takes effort and time because a user stops and manipulatesthe machine at each event. Errors in correction tend to occur, andyields in products are reduced as well. There have been problems thatthe user has to stay the position to know the number of products, thekinds of ferrules and the operation status of the polishing machine, andthat investigations for causes are not simple when defects are generatedin products because correction conditions are not recorded.

[0006] Then, an object of the invention is to provide an end facepolishing system of ferrules capable of configuring a system forpolishing a plurality of ferrules in various kinds under a plurality ofprocess conditions, shortening input time for the process conditions ofpolishing steps, storing the process conditions, and structuring a LANsystem allowing a plurality of machines to be remotely operated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the invention, a polishing system has been formed of apolishing machine and a computer; the polishing machine includes apolishing plate, a pressing part for pressing the end face of arod-shaped member onto a polishing sheet disposed over the polishingplate, and a pressing force control part for controlling the pressure ofthe pressing part, and the computer is connected to the polishingmachine with a communication line for transmitting pressing forceinformation to the pressing force control part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a polishing system of theinvention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the polishing system of theinvention;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a pressing force controlpart of the invention;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the top face of a jig plate ofthe invention; and

[0012]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display part of a controlmachine in the polishing system of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In the invention, an end face polishing machine has beenconfigured as a first embodiment, the end face polishing machineincludes:

[0014] a jig for supporting at least one rod-shaped member;

[0015] a polishing plate performing rotary and revolutionary movement;

[0016] a polishing sheet disposed over the polishing plate for polishingthe end face of the rod-shaped member;

[0017] a pressing part for pressing the end face of the rod-shapedmember onto the polishing member,

[0018] a pressing force control part for controlling a pressure of thepressing part, and

[0019] a pressing force information input part for inputting a pressingforce set value to the pressing force control part through acommunication line.

[0020] Furthermore, as a second embodiment, the first embodiment can beadded with a pressure detecting part for detecting the pressure inpressing, and a pressing force information output part for outputtingpressure information of the pressure detecting part through thecommunication line.

[0021] As a third embodiment, it is the end face polishing machine inwhich the pressing force set value is a pressure in pressing andpressing time in the first or second embodiment.

[0022] As a fourth embodiment, it is a ferrule polishing control machineincluding:

[0023] a ferrule type input part for selecting one ferrule from aplurality of ferrule types stored in a computer beforehand;

[0024] an end face shape input part for selecting one end face shapefrom a plurality of ferrule end face shapes stored in the computerbeforehand;

[0025] a connector type input part for selecting one connector from aplurality of connector types stored in the computer beforehand;

[0026] a polishing number input part for selecting the number offerrules to be mounted on a polishing jig from numbers stored in thecomputer beforehand; and

[0027] a transmitting part for selecting polishing pressure informationstored in the computer according to polishing information inputted fromthe ferrule type input part, the end face shape input part, theconnector type input part, and the polishing number input part, and fortransmitting the polishing pressure information to a ferrule polishingmachine.

[0028] As a fifth embodiment, a ferrule polishing method includes thesteps of:

[0029] selecting one ferrule from a plurality of ferrule types stored ina computer beforehand;

[0030] selecting one end face shape from a plurality of ferrule end faceshapes stored in the computer beforehand;

[0031] selecting one connector from a plurality of connector typesstored in the computer beforehand;

[0032] selecting the number of ferrules to be mounted on a polishing jigfrom numbers stored in the computer beforehand; and

[0033] selecting polishing pressure information stored in the computerbeforehand according to polishing information inputted from the unitadapted to input a ferrule type, the unit adapted to select an end faceshape, the unit adapted to input a connector type, and the unit adaptedto input a polishing number, and for performing ferrule end facepolishing.

[0034] As a sixth embodiment, it is a ferrule polishing programincluding the steps of:

[0035] selecting one ferrule from a plurality of ferrule types stored ina computer beforehand;

[0036] selecting one end face shape from a plurality of ferrule end faceshapes stored in the computer beforehand;

[0037] selecting one connector from a plurality of connector typesstored in the computer beforehand;

[0038] selecting the number of ferrules to be mounted on a polishing jigfrom numbers stored in the computer beforehand; and

[0039] selecting polishing pressure information stored in the computeraccording to polishing information inputted from the unit adapted toinput a ferrule type, the unit adapted to select an end face shape, theunit adapted to input a connector type, and the unit adapted to input apolishing number, and for performing ferrule end face polishing.

[0040] As a seventh embodiment of the invention, it is an end facepolishing machine including:

[0041] a jig for supporting at least one rod-shaped member;

[0042] a polishing plate performing rotary and revolutionary movement;

[0043] a polishing sheet disposed over the polishing plate for polishingthe end face of the rod-shaped member;

[0044] a pressing part for pressing the end face of the rod-shapedmember onto the polishing member;

[0045] an elastic member between the polishing sheet and the polishingplate; and

[0046] a temperature control unit adapted to control the elastic member.

[0047] As an eighth embodiment, the temperature control unit is aheating unit in the seventh embodiment.

[0048] As a ninth embodiment, the temperature control unit is a coolingunit in the seventh embodiment.

[0049] Furthermore, the invention has been a polishing system includinga polishing machine and a computer,

[0050] the polishing machine including:

[0051] a polishing plate;

[0052] a pressing part for pressing the end face of a rod-shaped memberonto a polishing sheet disposed over the polishing plate; and

[0053] a pressing force control part for controlling a pressure of thepressing part, and

[0054] the computer connected to the polishing machine with acommunication line.

[0055] Moreover, it has been the polishing system, wherein the computerindicates set values and actual measurements for pressure in pressingcontrolled by the pressing force control part.

[0056] Besides, it has been the polishing system, wherein the computercontrols set values for pressure in pressing controlled by the pressingforce control part.

[0057] It has been the polishing system, wherein the computer has a unitadapted to input the number of the rod-shaped members and a unit adaptedto indicate the number inputted.

[0058] It has been the polishing system, wherein the computer has a unitadapted to input and indicate a connector type for disposing therod-shaped member.

[0059] It has been the polishing system, the computer has a unit adaptedto input a type indicating the shape of the rod-shaped member and ashape, and a unit adapted to indicate the type and the shape.

[0060] It has been the polishing system, wherein the computer has a unitadapted to input an end face shape of the rod-shaped member and a unitadapted to indicate it.

[0061] It has been the polishing system, wherein the computer has a unitadapted to input and indicate a process condition for a plurality ofpolishing steps.

[0062] It has been the polishing system, wherein the process conditionis polishing time.

[0063] It has been the polishing system, wherein the process conditionis an indication to indicate a step being implemented among theplurality of polishing steps.

[0064] It has been the polishing system, wherein the process conditionis remaining time for the polishing step.

[0065] It has been the polishing system, wherein the process conditionis a pressure in pressing.

[0066] It has been the polishing system, wherein the process conditionis an actual measurement for pressure in pressing.

[0067] It has been the polishing system, wherein the process conditionis the rotation number of the polishing plate.

[0068] It has been the end face polishing machine including:

[0069] a polishing plate having a polishing sheet over the top face; and

[0070] a heating unit for heating the polishing sheet.

[0071] The end face polishing machine includes a polishing plate havinga polishing sheet over the top face and a heating unit for heating thepolishing sheet, and a method of controlling the hardness of thepolishing sheet by the heating unit has been used.

[0072] It has been the polishing machine including:

[0073] a unit adapted to periodically change a pressure of pressing theend face of a rod-shaped member onto a polishing sheet; and

[0074] a unit adapted to detect a difference between the pressure inpressing and the pressure applied.

[0075] It has been the polishing machine, wherein the difference is adifference in magnitudes of pressure. It has been the polishing machine,wherein the difference is a phase difference of pressure.

[0076] It has been the polishing machine including:

[0077] a unit adapted to periodically change a recessed amount forpressing an end face of a rod-shaped member onto a polishing sheet inthe thickness direction of the polishing sheet; and

[0078] a unit adapted to detect a difference between the recessed amountand the pressure applied.

[0079] Hereafter, embodiments of the invention will be described inaccordance with the drawings in detail. FIG. 1 is a front viewillustrating an end face polishing machine in one embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the end face polishingmachine in one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagramillustrating a pressing force control part of the end face polishingmachine in one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a plan viewillustrating the state that ferrules are fixed to a jig plate of the endface polishing machine in one embodiment of the invention.

[0080] In FIG. 1, over the top face of a polishing plate 60 moved by onekind or a combination of rotation, revolution and oscillation, anelastically deformable polishing sheet 70 is placed. Then, on the upperpart of the polishing sheet 70, a jig plate 50 for detachably fixingferrules W to both ends is placed so as to contact the end face of theferrules W to the surface of the polishing sheet 70. Here, the jig plate50 is connected to one end of a lever 10 and pressed downward, and theend face of the ferrules W is pressed onto the polishing sheet.

[0081] Subsequently, near the end part opposed to the end part of thelever 10 connected to the jig plate 50, a lower spring 24 for pushing upthe lever 10 from under is placed. Then, above the position facing tothe lower spring 24 of the lever 10, a pressure sensor 23 for detectingpressure applied to the jig plate 50 is placed. Here, a load cell isused as the pressure sensor.

[0082] The lower end part of a pressing head is placed so as to contactthe top face of the pressure sensor 23. Above the pressing head 21, anupper spring 22 for pressing the pressing head 21 is placed.

[0083] In the invention, the top face and the lower face of the lever 10are pressed by the lower spring 24 and the upper spring 22,respectively. Thus, the lower spring 24 allows the load of the lever 10or the load combined with the lever 10 and the jig plate 50 to becancelled to achieve zero balance. Consequently, the pressure sensor 23can detect only the load applied from above the lever 10. Accordingly,even when the types of the lever 10 or jig plate 50 and the types andnumber of ferrules W are changed, the polishing load can be detectedaccurately.

[0084] In the drawing, the lever 10, the upper spring 22, the pressinghead 21, the pressure sensor 23, and the lower spring are configured ofa part of the pressing part 20.

[0085] Here, under the polishing sheet 70, an elastic member 71 made ofa rubber sheet is disposed for use in forming a convex surface. Underthe elastic member or near the polishing plate 60, a heater 61 such as asilicon rubber hater or film heater is disposed, whereby thetemperatures of the rubber sheet can be kept constant, and the hardnessof the rubber sheet can be varied softer or harder, allowing changes inpolishing conditions, pressure conditions, and conditions for finishingand lapping. In addition, it is also possible to adjust changes in theelasticity of the rubber sheet over time to prolong the lifetime. Thedeformation of the rubber sheet is varied, whereby the end face shape ofthe rod-shaped member can be formed flat or formed to have convexsurface, allowing flat polishing, APC polishing, and PC polishing.Furthermore, instead of the heater 61, it is possible that a coolingdevice 62 formed of a cooling pipe having water or a cooling mediumcommunicated inside thereof, or of a bismuth-tellurium based Peltierelement is disposed to cool the rubber sheet and the hardness is varied.Other than this, it is also possible that an infrared heater or coolingpipe is disposed from above the jig plate 50 to control temperatures.Besides, both mechanisms for cooling and heating are disposed to controltemperatures more accurately and in the wider temperature range, wherebythe end face shape can be finished precisely.

[0086] Next, FIG. 2 shows the pressing part 20.

[0087] The pressing part 20 has a mechanism for reciprocating the lever10. The lever 10 is connected to the pressing head 24 through thepressure sensor 23 for detecting pressure, and the pressing head 21 andthe lever 10 are moved vertically by the rotation of a screw 26, whichserves to transmit the force to press the lever 10 to the jig plate 50.

[0088] The lever 10 is provided with a guide 28 so as to accuratelyreciprocate vertically. For the guide 28, a linear guide arranged inparallel to the axis of the upper spring 22 or lower spring 24 is used.Accordingly, detecting the pressure due to the transverse movement ofthe lever 10 can be eliminated to allow improving the SN ratio.

[0089] The screw 26 transmits the rotation of a motor 25 through a shaft25 a, a pulley 27 a, a belt 29, and a pulley 27 b for rotation, and thenit moves the lever 10 vertically. The pressure sensor 23 detects theload applied by the rotation of the motor 25, and a pressing forcecontrol part 40 feeds electric power for driving the motor 25 toconfigure a pressing force control circuit.

[0090]FIG. 3 shows the pressing force control part 40. The pressingforce control part 40 includes an A/D converter 33 for converting theoutput of the pressure sensor 23, a first storage device 34 for storinga control program, a second storage device 35 for storing set pressures,a CPU 37 for comparing and operating detected values and predeterminedpressure values and for determining output data for driving the motor25, in which the output of the CPU 37 is converted by a D/A converter36, and the output is inputted to a driver 44, and the electric powerfor driving the motor 25 is outputted. Here, the CPU 37 is connected toa serial interface 38, and it interconnects a polishing control machine39 and a server by protocols such as TCP/IP, wireless LAN, and bluetoothin the connection of an RS-232C, a USB, and a 100 base. Therefore, thepolishing machine is downloaded with programs for polishing conditionsor with polishing conditions, allowing delivery of the polishingconditions optimal for user conditions.

[0091] According to the invention, pressure applied to the end part ofthe ferrule can be controlled so as to be a predetermined set value.Consequently, the load applied to the ferrule end part can be keptconstant in polishing.

[0092] Furthermore, in the initial polishing state of the ferrule, whenthe end part of an optical fiber is exposed from the ferrule end part,the load is reduced to have the optical fiber end face and the ferruleend face in a nearly equal plane. When cracks or chips are not generatedin the optical fiber end part, the polishing load is increased to allowrapid polishing. Here, switching loads is also feasible by a method ofspecifying them by a timer inside the pressing force control part 40, ora method of operating values of a real time clock. In addition, it ispossible that the electric power of the motor 25 or the electric powerof the motor for driving the polishing plate 60 is detected, and thedrive load of the motor detects the start of polishing the ferrule endpart, i.e. the state that the initial polishing of the optical fiber endpart is finished to be in the same plane as the ferrule.

[0093] Moreover, as another method for detecting the polished state, therelationship between the feed of the screw 26 and changes in pressurecan determine the contact state of the ferrule end part to the polishingsheet 70 according to the relationship between the drive of the motor 25and the output of the pressure sensor 23. This method can detect thepoint of matching the optical fiber end face with the ferrule end faceand the generation of cracks or chips in the optical fiber. Whenpressure values equal to or above the specified values are detected, itis determined abnormal to stop operations of the polishing machine, andwaste time due to polishing defectives can be reduced.

[0094] Besides, the pressure values for polishing loads to be set arereduced as the steps proceed, a greater value in rough finish to bereduced in middle finish and then in fine finish, allowing theimprovement in polishing rates and preventing polishing scratches frombeing generated.

[0095] In addition to this, according to differences in the types andparticle diameters of abrasives, and differences in the materials, endface shape and diameters of ferrules, pressure to be set can be varied,and the object optimal conditions can be selected.

[0096] Furthermore, pressure in pressing is slightly varied to applyshifts in the vertical direction of the ferrule by free decay vibrationor forced vibration, or pressure variations are applied to givemodulation in the vertical direction, whereby changes in elasticity,complex elastic modules, and dynamic elastic modules due to modulationfrequencies and a magnitude of pressure changes or phase shifts allowmonitoring the degraded states of the polishing sheet or changes in thepolishing state. Moreover, the temperatures near the polishing sheet arekept constant by the heater, whereby polishing monitor based on changesin elastic modules can be performed from the relationship between alogarithm LOG (F) for a modulation frequency F and an inverse number1/(T) for a temperature absolute value T, allowing variations in thepolishing states to be reduced, and yields to be controlled from remotelocations.

[0097]FIG. 4 shows a diagram illustrating the jig plate 50 of theinvention. Two ferrules W are clamped with a fixing block 51 againsteach side of a hexagon for fixing.

[0098]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display part in a controlmachine in the polishing system of the invention. At the lower left of atitle 100, a numbers indication part 200 for indicating the number offerrules polished simultaneously has input buttons 201, 202, 203, 204,205, 206 and 208 for inputting six to sixteen ferrules or the numberother than these, and a pieces indication 210. Here, the input button201 has inputted six ferrules, and thus the pieces input button in 210is indicated in red. A type indication part 300 for indicating connectortypes is under the numbers indication part 200. Disposed are typeindications for indicating Ferrule only, FC Connector, SC Connector, STConnector, MU Connector, and LC Connector and other than these, andinput buttons 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306 and 307 corresponding to eachof them; Ferrule is selected to indicate the input button 301 in red.

[0099] Furthermore, a type indication part 400 for indicating ferruleshapes has type indications 410, 411, 412, 413, and 414 for indicating Φ1.25, Φ 2.0, Φ 2.5 Flat, Φ 2.5 Predome, and the others. When inputbuttons 401, 402, 403, 404 and 405 corresponding thereto are inputted,the selected button turns red.

[0100] In addition, a condition indication part 500 has conditionindications for indicating FLAT Polishing, ANGLED FLAT Polishing, APCPolishing, PC Polishing, SPC Polishing, UPC Polishing, and UPC 55dBPolishing, and input buttons 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507 and 508for selecting and indicating each condition.

[0101] Moreover, a process indication part 600 for indicating polishingprocesses displays a process table 601. Disposed are process stepindication parts 610, 611, 612, 613 and 614 for indicating a firstpolishing step to a fifth polishing step, and item indications forindicating process conditions for each of steps and parameters: apolishing time 620 for indicating process time for each step, an onprocess 621 for indicating the step now being implemented, a remainingpolishing time 622 for indicating remaining time for each step, aprogrammed pressure 623 for setting a polishing pressure, an actualpressure measurement 624 for indicating measurements of pressureactually applied, and a rotation number 625 for indicating the rotationnumber of the polishing plate.

[0102] Besides, a condition input and indication part 650 indicatesvalues for indicating the polishing conditions to be set and actualnumeric values, also serving as an input screen.

[0103] In addition to these, there are an alarm 700 for signalingabnormal circumstances, an indication part for a massage 710, anoperation status 720 for indicating operation states, an on processindication 730 for indicating during polishing, a finish indication 740for indicating the completion of polishing, a manual switch 750 forswitching operation modes, an online control 760 for indicating anonline state, and a select indication 770 for indicating selections.

[0104] There area start button 800 for initiating the operation of thepolishing machine to start the polishing process after the settings areperformed, and a stop button 810 for indicating stop operation.

[0105] The input method of the polishing conditions are that a ferruletype, Φ 1.25 mm, for example, is first selected, and then the ferrulepolishing condition is selected for APC polishing. Here, the polishingprocess steps and polishing time for each step are determined.Subsequently, the number of ferrules fixed to the jig is selected. Themanipulations described above determine the load applied by thepolishing machine.

[0106] In addition to this, a rotation control part for controlling therotation speed of rotation and revolution for the polishing plate and arotation number input part for inputting the rotation number to therotation control part are disposed to control the rotation number of thepolishing plate other than polishing pressure and polishing time,whereby further accurate end face polishing can be performed.

[0107] Examples of input by each button, changes in the display colorsof the buttons, and indications by lighting have been described so far,but addition of a speech generation device or speech recognition processmay allow speech input, speech announce, and calling attention.

[0108] Furthermore, the window size, arrangement, and screen switchingof each indication part can be performed freely such that the displayscreens are rotated forward by the hour and that actual values inprocess conditions are displayed in graph to indicate a red line foreasy observation of variations in status when a greater undershoot orovershoot causes a large deviation from the set value. Moreover, whenparticularly abnormal circumstances are generated, the control machineallows e-mail transmission to a cellular phone that an operator incharge has or another terminal that the operator has for sure emergencystop.

[0109] In this manner, according to the end face polishing machine ofthe invention, the control of a pressure in pressing the end face of theferrule W onto the polishing sheet 70 is allowed. When the pressure inpressing the end face of the ferrule W is set low in starting polishing,scratches on the end face of the ferrule W can be prevented from beinggenerated.

[0110] According to the invention, the polishing operation status suchas the number of products can be decided and controlled from remotelocations immediately because of the connection to the communicationsystem through the LAN or Internet. Furthermore, the process managementand production control over the respective factories having a pluralityof subunits are allowed to facilitate the overall time management fromorder to production. Moreover, order and accounting systems areconnected to complete the production control system for the overallfactories.

[0111] Besides, variations in row material properties due to materiallots of ferrules, and variation due to polishing media, temperatures,humidities, frictions of the polishing machine, and moments of the jigare finely adjusted, allowing improvement in yields.

What is claimed is:
 1. An end face polishing machine comprising: a jig for supporting at least one rod-shaped member; a polishing plate performing rotary and revolutionary movement; a polishing sheet disposed over the polishing plate for polishing an end face of the rod-shaped member; a pressing part for pressing the end face of the rod-shaped member onto the polishing member; a pressing force control part for controlling a pressure of the pressing part; and a pressing force information input part for inputting a pressing force set value to the pressing force control part through a communication line.
 2. The end face polishing machine according to claim 1 comprising: a pressure detecting part for detecting the pressure in pressing; and a pressing force information output part for outputting pressure information of the pressure detecting part through the communication line.
 3. The end face polishing machine according to claim 1, wherein the pressing force set value is the pressure in pressing and pressing time.
 4. A ferrule polishing control machine comprising: a ferrule type input part for selecting one ferrule from a plurality of ferrule types stored in a computer beforehand; an end face shape input part for selecting one end face shape from a plurality of ferrule end face shapes stored in the computer beforehand; a connector type input part for selecting one connector from a plurality of connector types stored in the computer beforehand; a polishing number input part for selecting a number of ferrules to be mounted on a polishing jig from numbers stored in the computer beforehand; and a transmitting part for selecting polishing pressure information stored in the computer according to polishing information inputted from the ferrule type input part, the end face shape input part, the connector type input part, and the polishing number input part, and for transmitting the polishing pressure information to a ferrule polishing machine.
 5. A ferrule polishing method comprising the steps of: selecting one ferrule from a plurality of ferrule types stored in a computer beforehand; selecting one end face shape from a plurality of ferrule end face shapes stored in the computer beforehand; selecting one connector from a plurality of connector types stored in the computer beforehand; selecting a number of ferrules to be mounted on a polishing jig from numbers stored in the computer beforehand; and selecting polishing pressure information stored in the computer beforehand according to polishing information inputted from the unit adapted to input a ferrule type, the unit adapted to select an end face shape, the unit adapted to input a connector type, and the unit adapted to input a polishing number, and for performing ferrule end face polishing.
 6. A ferrule polishing program comprising the steps of: selecting one ferrule from a plurality of ferrule types stored in a computer beforehand; selecting one end face shape from a plurality of ferrule end face shapes stored in the computer beforehand; selecting one connector from a plurality of connector types stored in the computer beforehand; selecting a number of ferrules to be mounted on a polishing jig from numbers stored in the computer beforehand; and selecting polishing pressure information stored in the computer according to polishing information inputted from the unit adapted to input a ferrule type, the unit adapted to select an end face shape, the unit adapted to input a connector type, and the unit adapted to input a polishing number, and for performing ferrule end face polishing.
 7. An end face polishing machine comprising: a jig for supporting at least one rod-shaped member; a polishing plate performing rotary and revolutionary movement; a polishing sheet disposed over the polishing plate for polishing an end face of the rod-shaped member; a pressing part for pressing the end face of the rod-shaped member onto the polishing member; an elastic member between the polishing sheet and the polishing plate; and a temperature control unit adapted to control the elastic member.
 8. The end face polishing machine according to claim 7, wherein the temperature control unit is a heating unit.
 9. The end face polishing machine according to claim 7, wherein the temperature control unit has a cooling unit.
 10. A polishing method of a rod-shaped member comprising: disposing a polishing sheet over a polishing plate through an elastic member; pressing an end face of the rod-shaped member onto a surface of the polishing sheet to rotate and revolve the rod-shaped member and the polishing sheet relatively; and controlling temperatures of the elastic member.
 11. A polishing system comprising a polishing machine and a computer, the polishing machine including: a polishing plate; a pressing part for pressing an end face of a rod-shaped member onto a polishing sheet disposed over the polishing plate; and a pressing force control part for controlling a pressure of the pressing part, and the computer connected to the polishing machine with a communication line for transmitting pressing force information to the pressing force control part.
 12. The polishing system according to claim 11, wherein the computer indicates set values and actual measurements for pressure in pressing controlled by the pressing force control part.
 13. The polishing system according to claim 11, wherein the computer controls set values for pressure in pressing controlled by the pressing force control part.
 14. The polishing system according to claim 11, wherein the computer has a unit adapted to input a number of the rod-shaped members and a unit adapted to indicate the number inputted.
 15. The polishing system according to claim 11, wherein the computer has a unit adapted to input and indicate a connector type for disposing the rod-shaped member.
 16. The polishing system according to claim 11, wherein the computer has a unit adapted to input a type indicating the shape of the rod-shaped member and a shape and a unit adapted to indicate the type and the shape.
 17. The polishing system according to claim 11, wherein the computer has a unit adapted to input an end face shape of the rod-shaped member and a unit adapted to indicate it.
 18. The polishing system according to claim 11, wherein the computer has a unit adapted to input and indicate a process condition for a plurality of polishing steps.
 19. The polishing system according to claim 18, wherein the process condition is polishing time.
 20. The polishing system according to claim 18, wherein the process condition is an indication to indicate a step being implemented among the plurality of polishing steps.
 21. The polishing system according to claim 18, wherein the process condition is remaining time for the polishing step.
 22. The polishing system according to claim 18, wherein the process condition is a pressure in pressing.
 23. The polishing system according to claim 18, wherein the process condition is an actual measurement for pressure in pressing.
 24. The polishing system according to claim 18, wherein the process condition is a rotation number of the polishing plate.
 25. A polishing machine comprising: a unit adapted to periodically change a pressure of pressing an end face of a rod-shaped member onto a polishing sheet; and a unit adapted to detect a difference between the pressure in pressing and the pressure applied.
 26. The polishing machine according to claim 25, wherein the difference is a difference in magnitudes of pressure.
 27. The polishing machine according to claim 25, wherein the difference is a phase difference of pressure.
 28. A polishing machine comprising: a unit adapted to periodically change a recessed amount for pressing an end face of a rod-shaped member onto a polishing sheet in a thickness direction of the polishing sheet; and a unit adapted to detect a difference between the recessed amount and the pressure applied. 